| Sabbat Book List These Books can be purchased at Isis Books Eight Sabbats for Witches by Ferrar/Ferrar
Presents the detailed and dramatic rituals for each of the eight Sabbats--the seasonal ceremonies and festivals intimately linked with the waxing and waning rhythms of the natural year. Using their Book of Shadows (the witch's inherited handbook) as their starting point, practicing witches Janet and Stewart have added mythological and folkloric material, much of it personally gathered. To complete the picture, they also give in full detail the rituals for Casting and Banishing the Magic Circle, and the often misunderstood Great Rite of male-female polarity. They include moving rituals for Wiccaning (the witches' equivalent of Christening), Handfasting (the witch wedding), and Requiem (funeral). Photographs, illustrations.  Sabbats by Edain McCoy
The Sabbats are pagan and witches' most important celebrations. Pagan tribes and witches' covens celebrate the Sabbats according to local tradition. It is difficult for novices and solitary practitioners to learn Sabbat history and rituals. Ms. McCoy's excellent book fills this void. The author addresses the Sabbats from a broad pagan perspective. She discusses the history of each Sabbat, and relates each Sabbat to ethnic celebrations held globally. Ms. McCoy provides both solitary and group rituals for each Sabbat, and explains each ritual's meaning. She describes activities, recipes, and crafts for each Sabbat, and describes natural items appropriate to each Sabbat's celebration.  Candlemas - Feast of Flames by Amber K & Azrael Arynn K
I've been interested in the goddess Brigid for a long time, and jumped out of my chair when I heard this book existed. I was even more ecstatic when it didn't disappoint me. I was afraid the book would be a skim-over-the-surface effort, touching only briefly on Brigid and then continuing on to subjects having nothing to do with her. Basically, I was afraid the book would try too hard to be eclectic. Fortunately, the two Ladies K did a wonderful job with their subject. They briefly mentioned other holidays celebrated in other cultures at the same time, and then settled down quite comfortably to talk in-depth about Brigid in her several forms: as an ancient goddess, as a faery of the Sidhe, and as a human saint. I was especially impressed with the section on St. Brigid. Most pagan authors, when writing about Brigid, simply frown angrily at the end of the goddess's myth and rant, "And then the Christians stole her and made her into a saint!" Lol. Here, St. Brigid gets respect. There is an impressive collection of St. Brigid wonder tales, several of which were completely new to me. The authors even see a silver lining in the replacement of the goddess by the saint--by recasting Brigid as a human woman, the Irish may have felt closer to her, since she was more like an old friend than a distant deity. Then the authors get into practical suggestions: rituals, crafts, and recipes. They include rituals for one, for a family, and for a coven. There is a thick chapter on making your own candles. And the recipes, which I didn't get to try yet since I got the book the day before Imbolc, look yummalicious! And for the authenticity police, there is a note by each recipe saying whether it's ancient, post-Crusades, or post-Columbus. Overall, a warm and approachable guide to the Imbolc Sabbat, by two authors who seem like really great people. I have tons of ideas for next year now.  Ostara -Customs, Spells & Rituals by Edain McCoy
The vernal equinox has long been regarded as the most earthy of the solar festivals, and McCoy's guide to the pagan celebration of Ostara/Eostre ably instructs readers in the holiday's historical association with fertility and sexuality, as well as its symbolic nature as a harbinger of spring. McCoy includes some useful history, as well as rituals, recipes and spells for the March 22 festival. The writing can be gimmicky ("Eggs-actly Ostara" is a bit much for an opening chapter title), but this is an engaging and helpful guide to Pagan ritual.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.  Beltane by Raven GrimassiThe Beltane book is a change of pace for Grimassi. It is written for a general audience and is presented in a lighter tone. It is a fun book with recipes, spells, and rituals that relate to the spring season. Also included is an abundance of folklore on flowers, fairies, and May Day characters such as Jack-in-the-Green. the Queen and King of May, the Hobby Horse, and the Mummers, among others. The book also contains instructions on making a May Pole centerpiece for a banquet table, along with other interesting craft projects related to celebrating May Day. As with all of Grimassi's writings this book is well researched and contains reliable information. Grimassi once again shines as a folklorist in this work. Beltane contains many illustrations and images presented in woodcut-like etchings. This gives the book an older feel like many of the books published at the close of the 1800s. Beltane is a wonderful addition to any library. 
Midsummer of the Summer Solstice by Anna Franklin
Midsummer is a magical time of the year for most of us Pagans and this book reflects that magical spirit in its content. Ms. Franklin provides us with all that is essential to celebrating the Midsummer Festival or "Summer Solstice" in this book. Expertly researched myths,lore and customs cap this piece. I really enjoyed the stories about the origins of Midsummer festivals and the Ancient Themes. But the herbal correspondences, stone correspondences, tools, rituals and divination techniques all add to this as being a wonderful primer for those who are wandering early in their path and are looking for a starting place for their celebration of another turn in the "Wheel of the Year". Ms. Franklin has given us a well written, nicely presented book on celebrating this Holiday in the Pagan calendar and it is a wonderful addition to the Sabbat series by Llewellyn. 
Lammas by Franklin/Mason
Lammas has a thorough introduction and much history and lore on the subject of the pagan holiday or Sabbat called Lammas or Lughnasadh. The writing is engaging and well-researched and very informative. It discusses among others the customs of well dressing, Telltown marriages, handfastings, and Highland games. It provides good detail on the myth of the Celtic god Lugh from whom one name for this holiday is derived. It discusses similar harvest festivals and practices from other cultures around the world. It provides a well-rounded view of this holiday and does not depict it only as a harvest festival but includes the lesser-known aspects of competition, gaming, warrior activities, divination and the lore of the Ash tree. Even a well-read and experienced pagan is likely to find new and interesting insights in this book. It contains a good section on Lammas traditional foods that include Boxty Scones that I can personally attest to as being delicious. The craft section of this book has many seasonal crafts that are fun and easy, including the familiar and traditonal craft of making corn dollies. There are recipes for making incense and herbal dyes. The chapter on Warrior magic is filled with evocative and colorful crafts as well. Several simple but meaningful rituals are also included, adaptable for personal Sabbat celebrations. 
Mabon, Celebrating the Autumn Equinox by Madden, Kristin Harvest is about celebration, and the book contains ritual celebration, it contains the celebration of food, it discusses symbols and customs and traditions. There is a really good explanation of the Equinox that anyone can understand, and some basic astrological information that did not send me running for a reference book. There is even an Internet resource listing in the back of the book that points out web material on Autumn and the Equinox.
If you have not looked at this series by Llewellyn, it probably is one of the better series Llewellyn has created. It is a series of collected knowledge, research and insights by some wonderful authors, both well known and those who should be well known. Though many may not be familiar with Ms. Madden, with this book we will be looking for other titles from her.
Add this one to your collection or start the collection with this one. I think you will be pleased with the entire series, as I have been. 
Halloween by Silver Ravenwolf
I enjoyed this book thoroughly. For the modern practitioner, its important to have books like this to help remind us that magick isn't all about seriousness! I feel this book is legitimate and embraces innocence in life. Silver proposes wonderful ways to celebrate Halloween in a fun, simple and magickal manner. I'm tired of huffy puffy books that are uptight and oh-so-serious. It's good to see that Silver hasn't fallen to cynicism in both her writing and her magick. What I really enjoyed was the history on Halloween. She takes you through each age and explains how Halloween was during that time frame, proving that Halloween (though it was not known as such back in the day) is older than Christmas! Personally, I'm relieved that this book was upbeat and fun. Some call it childish, but it's probably for the better. I'd have the living beegeezus scared outta me if someone chucked a bunch of serious and solemn rituals at me to do on what's been known as the scariest night of the year! This book has helped me see Halloween in a healthier light. 
Yule - A Celebration of Light & Warmth by Dorothy Morrison
Those who yearn for spiritual meaning but aren't strongly affiliated with a specific religion sometimes feel left out of winter holidays. Yule is like a hot toddy for these chilled and isolated souls. From mistletoe to gift exchanging, Yule explores and exalts the pagan and regional roots to many of our contemporary rituals and celebrations. For example, lights were historically used to decorate winter homes in order to "frighten negative entities and urge the sun to shine," according to author Dorothy Morrison. Many people believe that Santa's reindeer "represent the stags that drew the chariot of the Norse gift-giving goddess, Freya." Beyond all the fascinating trivia, this is also a book that offers fresh approaches to old traditions, such as having a cleaning ritual that ceremoniously sweeps out the old and makes room for the new season or conducting a reverent "tree blessing" ceremony. Morrison also suggests numerous homemade crafts and gift ideas (many are suitable for children), inviting seasonal recipes (such as Yuletide Ambrosia and Dragon's Layer Cake), and a December calendar that lists traditions and rituals for every day of the month. --Gail Hudson |
